Abstract: A method and an apparatus for handling objects, in particular discs such as CD's having an aperture therein defining a rim. The apparatus comprises a first set of jaws moveable towards and away from one another and a second set of jaws moveable towards and away from one another. In use, the jaws of each set may be moved apart to exert a radial gripping force on the rims of the objects. The second set of jaws is extendible and retractable axially. By operating the sets of jaws through sequences of extension, gripping, retraction and releasing, the objects can be loaded onto or off of the apparatus. The gripping action of the jaws allows the apparatus to hold the objects in any orientation.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with both a method and an apparatus for handling objects, in particular discs such as CD's or the like having an aperture therein defining a rim, the method comprising the steps of providing an elongate arm, and providing an elongate support adjacent the arm; extending the arm through the aperture of at least one of the discs; engaging the arm with the rim of the disc; retracting the arm such as to position the rim over the support; and displacing the arm such that the rim is engaged by the support, and then repeating this sequence of steps in order to stack a plurality of the discs onto the support for subsequent transfer and unloading.